Africa-Press – Uganda. The Electoral Commission (EC) has attributed delays in paying some temporary workers who supported the 2026 general elections to discrepancies in mobile money registration details.
According to the Commission, thousands of transactions have stalled because the phone numbers submitted by some workers are not registered in their own names, complicating verification and payment processing.
The EC recruited more than 10,000 temporary staff nationwide to assist with polling activities. Polling officials were entitled to Shs100,000 for election day duties, while their deputies were to receive Shs75,000.
Officials were also provided with basic refreshments, including bottled water, a soda and a packet of biscuits.
However, more than a month after the conclusion of the elections, several temporary workers say they have yet to receive their allowances.
Some officers from the Uganda Police Force who were deployed to guard presidential candidates have also reported delayed payments, with a number claiming they are owed up to Shs10 million.
EC spokesperson Julius Muchunguzi said payments are being processed through mobile money platforms but emphasised that successful transfers require the registered mobile number to match the beneficiary’s identity.
“We are processing payments in phases, beginning with officials who worked on the presidential election,” Muchunguzi said, adding that the verification exercise is ongoing.
He appealed to affected workers to remain patient as the Commission resolves the discrepancies and completes the payment process.
